Breaking News: November 16, 2016, Westbrook, Maine

Historic Settlement Agreement Reached to Remove Saccarappa Dams—central to the health of the Presumpscot River and its fish populations:​Friends of the Presumpscot River (FOPR) and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) announced today the filing of a long-awaited settlement agreement that will lead to the construction of fish passage and removal of two dams at Saccarappa Falls in downtown Westbrook. This agreement was entered into by the two nonprofit groups, dam owner Sappi Fine Paper, the City of Westbrook, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Maine Department of Marine Resources and filed yesterday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Removal of the two dams will eliminate a significant barrier to migratory fish, once counted in the millions on the Presumpscot River, and will open a large segment of prime spawning habitat to several species of sea-run fish.

​For the full press release, or to schedule an interview, please contact Michael Shaughnessy, FOPR Board President at smallbirdsflying@gmail.com or (207) 329-5042.​

2016 Fish Migration is Here!

The Alewives are running in Mill Brook, Westbrook, ME. The run is a bit late this year, but the numbers are looking really good. This footage was taken off Methodist Rd. in Westbrook, ME on 5/28.

Saccarappa Falls Dams to be removed, but fish passage may be in jeopardy. What happens at Saccarappa greatly impacts upriver fisheries restoration. Get involved and Help FOPR ensure safe, timely, effective and sustainable fish passage at this complex site! We envision a site that restores the river ecosystem and is an attractive site for anglers, boaters and visitors. Click here toLearn More...

The Economic Value of a Restored Fishery on the Presumpscot River

In May 2015, we released a new study detailing the significant economic value that can be realized by Westbrook and other communities bordering the Presumpscot if native migratory fish are successfully restored to Westbrook and upriver. The report, investigated and written by resource economist and Friends’ board member Dr. Rachel Bouvier, describes the experiences of other Maine and Massachusetts communities where river herring have returned, and demonstrates that restoring passage for native fish species is associated with increases in tourism revenue and property values, as well as broader ecological and aesthetic values.